Lynn Barber

Abandoned by Paul Theroux: the diary of a sad ex-wife who sadly can’t write

Anne Theroux’s banal account of lonely housekeeping after the breakdown of her marriage has been a long time coming — and is not worth the wait

Paul Theroux in 1982. [Getty Images] 
issue 10 July 2021

When I interviewed Paul Theroux 21 years ago at his home in Hawaii, there were already rumours that his ex-wife Anne had written a book about him. In fact their son Marcel said in an interview that she had sent Paul the manuscript. Theroux denied it to me, and said breezily that he wished Anne would write a book, because then she’d have greater respect for the work involved.

GIF Image

Disagree with half of it, enjoy reading all of it

TRY 3 MONTHS FOR $5
Our magazine articles are for subscribers only. Start your 3-month trial today for just $5 and subscribe to more than one view

Comments

Join the debate for just £1 a month

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.

Already a subscriber? Log in